LORAIN, Ohio — Ohio Sea Grant has launched a new interactive Web site, Shipwrecks and Maritime Tales of the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail, available to browse at www.ohioshipwrecks.org.
The Web site was designed to help promote the protection of Lake Erie’s shipwrecks and increase awareness of its rich maritime history.
With the help of Sea Grant Extension, divers now have the information necessary to discover shipwrecks in Lake Erie.
“There was a pressing need for a Web site such as this,” says Joe Lucente, Ohio Sea Grant Extension Educator.
“Now an online database of Lake Erie shipwrecks exists for people to access and learn about Lake Erie’s maritime history or find a wreck to explore.”
Explore it
The site gives those who may be unfamiliar with Lake Erie shipwrecks access to details of the wrecks in a convenient location.
The hope is that people will be inspired to go out and explore the shipwrecks and enjoy the history and opportunities Lake Erie has to offer.
The Web site features the locations of many of the 277 known wrecks and more detailed information on 28 specific wrecks, including GPS coordinates, location information, and the history of each ship, as well as photographs.
The interactive map allows users to browse and discover the locations of every known wreck, including the Morning Star, whose remains lie 70 feet under water after a collision with another ship in 1868.
Inside view
Some of the shipwreck listings feature underwater videos, so a Web site visitor can get a glimpse at the sites beneath the surface.
“Whether you are a seasoned scuba diver or a maritime history aficionado, we believe you will not only learn more about Lake Erie’s maritime heritage but will also gain an increased respect for the need to preserve and protect Ohio’s historic shipwrecks,” states Dave Kelch, Ohio Sea Grant Extension Specialist.
The project is linked to the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail, one of 126 national scenic byways designated by the Federal Highway Administration.
This signed route travels from Conneaut to Toledo and celebrates the natural resources and historic treasures along Lake Erie.
Did you know?
Lake Erie claims more shipwrecks than any other Great Lake with over 1,700. To date only 277 have been found, salvaged or located by divers.
The remains of these wrecks lay scattered across the Lake’s floor and provide an exciting opportunity for outdoors people, tourists and scholars alike.
This project was jointly funded by the Ohio Lake Erie Commission and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Coastal Management.
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